Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
& Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Forty-four chapter notes covering criminal procedure end-to-end — investigation, arrest, bail, charge, trial, judgment, appeal, revision, execution of sentence — with every chapter dual-anchored to the CrPC section and its BNSS counterpart. Section first, scheme second, leading case third.
From the 1973 Code to the BNSS — every stage of a criminal case.
Criminal procedure is the most heavily tested subject in any judiciary exam. Every prosecution moves through fixed stages — FIR, investigation, arrest, remand, charge sheet, framing of charge, trial, judgment, sentence, appeal — and CrPC supplies the procedural rule for each stage. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, notified on 1 July 2024, retains the architecture and renumbers most provisions, with substantive shifts in time-bound investigation, electronic-evidence rules, and victim rights.
These notes dual-anchor every chapter: the CrPC section and the BNSS counterpart appear on the same opening line. The most-tested provisions — Section 154 (FIR), Section 161 (witness examination), Section 167 (default bail), Section 173 (police report), Section 197 (sanction), Sections 437/438/439 (bail), Section 313 (accused examination), Section 374 (appeal) — are treated section-by-section with the corresponding BNSS provision.
Each chapter is designed to be read in twelve to fifteen minutes and to leave the reader with the dual statutory anchor, the stage in the criminal process, the procedural form, the time limits, the magistrate or court power, and the leading authority.
How to read these notes
Start with both citations.
Every chapter opens with the CrPC section and its BNSS counterpart on the same line. Read both. From 2024 onward the prelims paper expects both — a half-remembered CrPC citation without the BNSS pair will lose marks even when the doctrine is right.
Place the rule in the criminal-process flow.
Every chapter sits at one of seven stages — FIR, investigation, arrest, charge sheet and cognizance, trial, judgment and sentence, appeal and revision. The scheme paragraph tells you where. A bail rule is solved differently at the FIR stage versus after charge framing, and the procedural posture decides which provision applies.
Test on the leading case.
If you can restate the holding of Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of UP, Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, or Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar in two sentences, you understand the chapter. If not, return to the statutory section and rebuild from there.
All 44 chapters, in 8 groups
Sequenced through the natural structure of the subject — every chapter sits in a doctrinal cluster.Foundations & Definitions
Sections 1–5 — what CrPC governs
The Act’s scope and applicability, the seventeen statutory definitions including cognizable, non-cognizable, bailable, non-bailable, summons-case, warrant-case, and the constitutional structure of criminal courts under the Code.
Hierarchy & Powers of Courts
Sections 6–35 + 460 — who can try what
The hierarchy of criminal courts — Supreme Court, High Courts, Sessions Courts, Magistrates of First and Second Class, Executive Magistrates. The powers conferred on each, the territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction, and the rules on transfer of cases.
FIR, Investigation & Arrest
Sections 154–176 — the pre-cognizance phase
First Information Report under Section 154 with the Lalita Kumari mandate, the police’s powers and duties of investigation, the Section 161 witness examination, the Section 164 magistrate-recorded confession, the Section 41A arrest-only-when-necessary mandate from Arnesh Kumar, and the Section 167 default-bail right.
Arrest of Persons — Without Warrant, With Warrant, Rights of Arrested Person
CrPC · 07Processes to Compel Appearance — Summons, Warrants, Proclamation, Attachment
CrPC · 08Processes to Compel Production of Things — Summons to Produce, Search Warrants
CrPC · 09Reciprocal Arrangements with Foreign Countries for Service of Summons / Warrants
CrPC · 10Security for Keeping the Peace and for Good Behaviour (Chapters VIII / IX BNSS)
CrPC · 11Maintenance of Public Order and Tranquillity — Sections 129–148 CrPC / Equivalent BNSS
CrPC · 12Preventive Action of Police
Bail — Anticipatory, Regular, Default
Sections 436–450 + 167 — the three bail jurisdictions
The three statutory bail jurisdictions — bailable offence bail under Section 436, regular bail under Sections 437 and 439, anticipatory bail under Section 438. The Section 167 default-bail right when investigation exceeds the time limit. The cancellation of bail and the conditions courts impose.
Order for Maintenance of Wife, Children, Parents (Section 125 CrPC / Section 144 BNSS)
CrPC · 14Disputes Regarding Immovable Property — Sections 145–148 CrPC
CrPC · 15Information to Police and Their Powers to Investigate — FIR and Zero FIR
CrPC · 16Power of Police to Investigate (Sections 154–176)
Cognizance, Charge & Pre-Trial
Sections 190–229 — magistrate to trial
Cognizance of offences under Section 190 — police report, complaint, suo motu. The committal of cases triable by Sessions Court, the framing of charge under Sections 211 to 224, the discharge under Section 227, the rules on alteration of charge, and the procedure for plea bargaining.
Conditions Requisite for Initiation of Proceedings
CrPC · 18Complaints to Magistrates — Procedure, Examination, Issue of Process
CrPC · 19Charge — Form, Joinder of Charges, Effect of Errors
CrPC · 20Trial Before a Court of Session — Procedure
CrPC · 21Trial of Warrant Cases by Magistrates — Police Report and Otherwise
Trial, Judgment & Sentence
Sections 225–365 — the trial itself
The four kinds of trial — Sessions, warrant-case by Magistrate (police report or otherwise), summons-case, summary. The conduct of trial including prosecution and defence evidence, the Section 313 examination of the accused, the Section 314 written statement, the recording of judgment, and the rules on sentence.
Trial of Summons Cases by Magistrates
CrPC · 23Summary Trials
CrPC · 24Plea Bargaining (Chapter XXIA CrPC / Chapter XXIII BNSS)
CrPC · 25Judgment — Form, Contents, Pronouncement, Language
CrPC · 26Submission of Death Sentences for Confirmation
CrPC · 27Appeals — From Convictions, Acquittals, Orders
CrPC · 28Reference and Revision
CrPC · 29Transfer of Criminal Cases
Appeals, Revisions & Inherent Powers
Sections 372–482 — post-judgment remedies
The right of appeal against conviction, the State’s right to appeal against acquittal under Section 378, revision under Sections 397 and 401, reference to the High Court, the Section 482 inherent powers of the High Court, and the rules on transfer, withdrawal, and execution of sentence.
Execution, Suspension, Remission and Commutation of Sentences
CrPC · 31Provisions as to Bail and Bonds — Bailable, Non-Bailable, Anticipatory, Default Bail
CrPC · 32Disposal of Property Seized
CrPC · 33Irregular Proceedings — Effect on Trials
CrPC · 34Limitation for Taking Cognizance of Offences (Sections 467–473 CrPC / Equivalent BNSS)
CrPC · 35Miscellaneous Provisions — Public Servants, Compensation to Victims, Witnesses
CrPC · 36Inherent Powers of High Court (Section 482 CrPC / Section 528 BNSS)
Special Provisions & Wrap-Up
Sections 125, 144, 195, 197, 482 + reference
The maintenance jurisdiction under Section 125 with the Shah Bano interpretation, the executive-magistrate orders under Section 144, the Section 195 bar on cognizance of certain offences without complaint, the Section 197 sanction for prosecution of public servants, and the BNSS-specific innovations on time-bound investigation and victim rights.